Can-body-making machine.



No. 734,648. PATENTED JULY 28, 1903.

B. ZEH.

CAN BODY MAKING MACHINE.

I APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.. Wzbwwwl I lwmhr, a ar/fizz, iii'arwe ya PATBNTED JULY 28, 1903.

7 B. ZEH. CAN BODY MAKING MACHINE.

6 BHBETS-SHEET 3.

V APPLIUATION FILED MAR. 14. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

' 7% Znessea PATENTED JULY 28, 1903.

' E. ZEH.

CAN BODY MAKING MAGHINE.

I APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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No. 734,648. PATENTED JULY 28, 1903.

E. ZBH.

CAN BODY MAKING MACHINE. APPLIOkTION FILED MAR. 14, 1903.

N0 MODEL. e SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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EoMuND znH, oF BUFFALO, NEW Y;oRK,Ass1e oR TO NIAGARA MACHINE & A TOOLwoRKs, OF BurFALo, NEW YORK.

CAN-BODY-MAKI'NG MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letterjs Patent N0. 734,648, dated July28, 1903. 7 Application filed March 14,1903. :Serial No. 147,794; (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, EDMUND ZEH, a citizen of the GermanEmpire,:residingat Bufialo, in.

the county of Erie and State of NewYork, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Oan-Body-Making Machines, of which the following is aspecification. This invention relates to a machine for formingcan-bodies of the well-known form :0 in which the longitudinal edges ofthe sheet metal blank formingthe body are. connected by interlockedseam-hooks.

The machine is of that type in which the sheet-metal blank from whichthe bodyis formed is fed toan' edging mechanism in which the oppositeside edges of the blank.

are bent to form oppositely-pr0jecting seamhooks and is then conveyed toa body-form'- ing mechanism in which the body is formed 2 around astationary expanding body-forming horn, with the seam-hooks overlapped,the seam-hooks cansedtointerlock by the expansion ofthe body-forminghorn and the interlocked seam-hooks pressed or hammered to tightly closethe seam,after which the body is removed from the forming-horn andconveyed to the soldering machine or mechanism.

I The object of theinvention is to improve a machine of this characterin various particu- '0 lars, whichwill more'fully appear from thefollowing description and claims, whereby an efficient machine of largecapacity and of simple, inexpensive, strong, and durable construction isproduced.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of six sheets, Figure l is aside elevation of a machine embodying the invention, the cover-plates,which *inclose some of the operating parts of the machine, being removedto 0 expose such parts. 2 is a front elevation thereof, the edgingmechanism being shown in vertical section, Fig. 3 is averticallongitudinal sectional elevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a transversevertical sectional ele- 5 vation thereof in'line 4 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 isa sectional elevation showing the body-forming mechanism, the partsbeing shown in the position occupied in the first portion of the formingoperation. Fig. 6 is a perspective view detached of the body-forminglevers and sliding head carrying the same. Fig. 7 is a transversesectional elevation, partly broken away, in line '7 7, Fig. 3, lookingfrom the rear. Fig. Sis a vertical sectional elevation, on an enlargedscale, through that portion of the edging mechanism which forms thedownturned seam-hook, showing the hook partially formed. Fig. 9 is afragmentary sectional detail, on an enlarged scale, through that portionof the edging mechanism which forms the upturned hook, showing the hookpartially formed. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary ,hofizontal section of theedging mechanism in line 10 10, Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a fragmen- .[taryvertical section of the edging mechanism in line 11 11, Fig. 10. Fig. 12is a detail section, on an enlarged scale, of the friction drive-clutchfor the feed-chains in line 12 12, Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a horizontalsection of the machine, partly in plan, in line 13 13, Fig. 7c

2. Fig. 14 is a horizontal section, partly in plan, through thebody-forming mechanism 'in line 14 14, Fig. 4. Fig. 15 is a horizontalsection through the seam-closing hammer and its ways in line 15 15, Fig.3.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the main frame of the machine, which is preferably in theform of a solid upright casting having suitable cavities and openingsfor the several operating parts of the machine. The frame is provided atits front portion with stationary lateral arms or extensions B, whichcarry the edging mechanism.

O 0' represent two supporting-frames for the edging mechanism or devicesfor forming the'hooks .at the opposite edges of the blank. Thesupporting-frames are adjust-able transversely of the machine onhorizontal ways c on the later-alarms of the main frame for the purposeof positioning the opposite hookforming devices nearer to or fartherfrom each other to accommodate blanks for bodies of difierent diameters.porting-frames are provided with forwardlyprojecting brackets c,whichare provided on their upper portions with horizontal supportingledges or faces 0 for the edge portions of the blank and with verticalribs or flanges 0 too The adjustable supbetween which the blank isplaced and which guide the blank while it isbeing fed to the I edgingmechanism.

represents a bracket which is secured to the main frame and projectsforwardly between the two brackets carried by the adj ustablesupporting-frames of the edging mechanism, having a flat top face, whichserves as a support for the central portion of the sheetmetal blank. Theadjustable supporting frames of the edging mechanism are provided withsuitable means for adjusting the same toward and from each other toaccommodate blanks of different widths. In the construction shown (seeFig. 2) an adjusting screw or shaft D is journaled at one end in abearing on one of the lateral extensions of the main frame and isprovided with oppositely-screwcarried by the adjustable frames.

threaded portions working in screw-threaded. holes in lugs d, dependingfrom the adjustable supporting-frames. The screw-shaft, which is heldfrom longitudinal movement in its bearings, is connected by gear-wheelsd d to an operating-shaft d journaled in a hearing adjacent to the endof the screw-shaft and provided with an outer end fashioned to receivean operating crank or handle. By turning the operating-shaft theadjustable frames are moved toward or from each other, according to thedirection of rotation of the operating-shaft. The frames can be rigidlyheld in adjusted position by clamping-bolts or other means. (Not shown.)

E E E represent, respectively, a central and two side feed or conveyerchains or belts for feeding or carrying the blanks through the machine.The central conveyer-chain has a horizontal upper run or portion whichpasses through a longitudinal central opening in the main frame and issupported bya front chainwheel 6 and a rear chain-wheel e, journaled atthe rear of the machine. The chain also runs over an idler and tensionchainwvheels e and e at the front and rear lower portions of the mainframe and through suitable openings formed in the base of the frame. Theforwardly-projecting bracket 0 of the main frame is provided with aguide-groove a, Fig. 13, in which the front portion of the horizontalrun of the chain is guided and supported horizontally. Thesidefeed-chains run on front chain-wheels f, rear chain -wheels f,journaled on the rear portions of the adjustable frames of the edgingmechanism and tensioning-idlers f journaled on the brackets c,

The upper runs ofthe side chains are supported horizontally and guidedin groovesf in the brackets c and in horizontal railsf, secured to theinner sides of the adjustable frames of the edging mechanism. All of theconveyerchains have projecting spaced teeth adapted to engage the rearedges of the body-blanks. The front chain-wheels for the severalconveyer-chains are mounted on and driven by an intermittently-rotatedfeed-shaft Gr, which is journaled in hearings on the brackets 0' C and abearing-bracket g, Fig. 13, at one side of the main frame. The frontchainwheelsf for the side conveyor-chains are confined in casings at thefront ends of the brackets c of the supporting-frames of the edgingmechanism and are provided with keys working in a keyway or groove inthe feed-shaft, so that the chain-wheels f are driven by the feed-shaft,but are free to be moved longitudinally thereof in adjusting the edgingmechanism.

The feed-shaft may be rotated intermittently to drive the severalconveyer-chains in any desired manner. The following drive mechanism isshown: H represents the main drive-shaft of the machine, which isjournaled horizontally at the upper rear portion of the main frame in asuitable bearing boss or projection h at one side of the main frame. Thedrive-shaft is provided with suitable tight and loose drive-pulleys h orother means for driving the same. I, Figs. 2, 3, and 13, represents ahorizontal shaft, which is journaled at its ends in suitable bearings 41on the ends of the lateral extensions of the main frame and is drivenfrom the main driveshaft H bya sprocket-chain running aroundsprocket-wheelsjj' secured, respectively, to the drive-shaft andshaft 1. This shaft I, which constitutes the operating-shaft for theedging mechanism and which will be hereinafter termed the edger-shaft,is provided at one end with a mutilated gear-wheel j which is adapted tomesh with and intermittently rotate a gear-wheel), mounted on astud-shaftj, which is secured to the adjacent portion of the main frame.The gear-wheel 7' is connected to and operates a sprocketwheel j whichcommunicates its intermittent motion by a drive-chainj toa sprocketwheelj", secured to the feed-shaft G.

The edging mechanism, which comprises clamps for the opposite edges ofthe bodyblank, oppositely arranged hook forming tools and operatingmechanism therefor, carried by the adjustable frames 0 O, is preferablyconstructed as follows, (see Figs. 2 and 8 to 11:) The supporting-frameC at one side of the machine is provided with a stationary anvil It,arranged above the path of the blank as it is fed forwardly by theconveyer-chains, and the other supporting-frame O is provided with astationary anvil arranged beneath the path of the blank. The anvils areprovided with outwardly-projecting lips, over which the hooks are bent.

Wit are presser-blocks, which are arranged, respectively, opposite tothe anvils 7r 7c in sockets in the supporting-frames and pressed towardsaid anvils by springs 70.

L L represent the hook-forming devices or tools, which are respectivelycarried by horizontally-movable slides ZZ, mounted to move on horizontalways Z on slides Z '1 mounted to slide vertically in ways Z on thesupporting-frames of the edging mechanism.

The hook-forming tools are moved oppositely,

ICC

IIO

one up and theother-down, to bend one edge of the blank up against thelip of the anvil 7c and the other edge of the blank down against theanvil k. The hook-forming devices are then moved oppositely toward theblank to bend the edges of the blank inwardly over the lips on theanvils to complete the books. tools the edger-shaft I is provided witheccentrics I, connected to the vertically-movable slides by rods Z andcams Z provided with cam-grooves, in which operate studs or rollers Zsecured to lugs depending from the horizontal slides carrying thehook-forming tools. The presser-blocks for the blanks are provided withshoulders Z which are normally held by the springs forthe presserblocksagainst the projecting lips of the hook- Sand 9.

clamping-blocks are pressed firmly against the blank and hold the latterstationary,while the hook-formingtools continuetheir vertical movementand bend the edges of the blank, one up and the other down, as shown inFigs.

The cams t then move the hookforming tools horizontally inwardin'opposite directions and turn the bent edges of the blank inward,completing the hooks. The cams Z then move the hook-forming toolsoutwardly to clear the hooks, when the eccen trics Z move thehook-forming tools vertically away from their anvils, and the lips onthe hook-forming tools engage the presser-blo'cks and retract the sameto release the blank, so

that it can be removed by theconveyer or feed chains. The sidefeed-chains do not extend to the body-forming mechanism, and

after the blank leaves the edging mechanism it is carried on by the longcentral conveyerchain. In its movementto the body-forming mechanism theblank is supported by the central conveyer and brackets Z Figs. 1 and13, projecting rearwardly from the supportingframes of the edgingmechanism.

The body-forming mechanism for shaping the hooked blank into body formcomprises a stationary horn, a clamp for holding the blank against thehorn, forming devices or levers which shape the blank around theforming-horn, means for expanding the horn to interlock the seam-hooks,and a hammer for pressing the seam-hooks to close the seam;

.. M represents the stationary body-forming horn, which is arranged in acavity in the main frame above the path of the blank as it is conveyedfrom the edging mechanism and is detachably secured to the forwardoverhanging portion of the main frame by suitable bolts or the like771., Figs. 1 and 2. The forming-horn comprises a rigid central bore Forthus operating the hook-forming the upper and lower raised portions ofthe core. The core is provided at its top with a longitudinalseam-groove m and at its bottom with a longitudinal groove, into whichthe teeth of the central conveyer-chain pro- 'ject.

N, Figs. 4, 5, and 13, represents rock-shafts for springing or bowingthe elastic side pieces of the horn outwardly to expand the horn. Thefront cylindrical ends of the expandingshafts are journaled inlongitudinal bearingopenings in the forward portion of the horn, andtheir rear portions, which are segmental in cross-section, are locatedin substantially semicircular grooves n in the sides of the rear portionof the horn and engage the inner faces of the elastic side pieces. Whenthe horn is contracted, the flat sides of the expanding-shafts aresubstantially flush with the cylindrical face of the core of the horn,and when the expanding-shafts are oscillated they spring or bow thecentral portions of the elastic side pieces outwardly, thus increasingthe horizontal diameter of the horn, as shown in Fig. 4. As the sidepieces are elastic and their lower free ends are held against the coreby the surrounding can-body, said lower ends do not move away from thecore, as in the case of hinged side pieces, and do not crease or formfiat places on the canbody. As the free ends of the elastic side rpieces are at the bottom of the horn, no dirt or. foreign matter can getin between the side pieces and core.

0, Figs. 4, 5, and 6, represents the levers for forming the blank uparound thehorn. The levers are arranged one at each side of the centralvertical plane of the horn and in their initial or lowest position arebelow the path of the blank, which is moved by the central conveyer inbetween the horn and levers. The levers are pivoted intermediate oftheir ends on the upper ends of arms 0, projecting up from a slidingsupport or head 0', vertically movable in guideways 0 formed on the mainframe. The upper arm of each lever is bowed outwardly, so that whenmoved upwardly it can encircle the adjacent half of the horn and theblank thereon without hearing against the same. Each lever is preferablycomposed of two connected side pieces, as shown in Fig. 6, and one leveris provided at its upper end with a roller O and the other with asubstantially crescent-shaped block 0 by which said levers bear againstthe blank. The block 0 is pivoted on the lever, and a spring 0 connectedto the block and lever, tends to hold said block in an'upright position,as shown in Fig. 5. The lower arms of the body-forming levers areconnected by toggle-links O, the ends of the connecting knuckle-pin forwhich project laterally beyond the links and slide vertically in groovesor ways 0 in the slide-head for the bodyforming levers.

P represents an operatinglever for the body-forming levers. This leveris pivoted at its outer end on a bracket 13, adjustably secured on themain frame of the machine, and is provided at its inner end with a slotin which engages the kn uckle-pin for the togglelinks connecting thebody-forming levers.

The operating-lever is oscillated by a crankdisk p, the wrist-pin p ofwhich extends into an elongated slot in the lever P. This wristpin ispreferably adjustable diametrically of the crank-disk in a well-knownmanner to regulate the throw of the operating-lever. The crank-disk issecured to one end of a horizontal crank-shaft 19 which is jonrnaled ina bearing in the adjustable bracket 19 and is driven by any suitablemeans. As shown, the crank-shaft is d riven from a vertical shaft pt byintermeshing bevel gear-wheels p p on the crank-shaft and vertical shaft19 and the vertical shaft 10 is in turn driven from the main drive-shaftof the machine by intermeshing bevel gear-wheels 19 19 secured,respectively, to the driveshaft and vertical shaft 19 19*, Figs. 1 and4, is an adjusting-screw for raising and lowering the bracket 19,carrying the operating-lever and its actuating crankshaft, and p areclamping-bolts for securing the bracket when adjusted.-

It is desirable to retain the upper arms of the levers separated adistance substantially equal to the diameter of the horn, sothat whenthey are moved up the roller and crescent block carried thereby will notstrike the lower portion of the horn, but will bend the blank into Ushape and press it against the sides of the horn without noise orimpact. For this purpose a guide Q, Figs. 4, 5, and 14, is provided,which is secured to a bracket (1 on the main frame of the machine. Theguide is provided with a vertical inner face, against which travels aroller q, carried by the lower arm of the adjacent body-forming lever.

g is an adjustable stop-screw or the like, carried by the sliding headand adapted to strike theknuckle of the toggle-joint connecting thebody-forming levers to limit the independent downward movement of thetoggle-joint. When the inner end of the operating-lever P for thebody-forming levers moves upwardly, it tends to straighten thetoggle-joint and throw the lower arms of the forming levers outward; butas the lower arms of the forming-levers are held from outward movementby the contact of the roller q with the guide Q the upper ends of theforming-levers cannot move inwardly and the sliding head is moved upuntil the roller q leaves the upper end of the guide Q, at which timethe upper ends of the body-forming levers are substantially opposite thecenter of the horn, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. In the furtherupward movement of theinner end of the operating-lever the knuckle-pinfor the toggle-joint is moved upwardly in its guide grooves in thesliding head and straightens the toggle-joint, so as to press the rollerand crescent block on the upper ends of the body-forming levers againstthe blank and horn. As the inward movement of the upper ends of thelevers is only restrained by the'horn and the body-blank around thesame, the roller and crescent .block follow the contour of the horn andsmoothly and evenly wrap the blank around the horn. Owing to the shapeof the crescent block the end of the blank engaged thereby is movedsomewhat in advance of the other end of the blank, which insures theproper overlapping of the seam-hooks. At the completion of the upwardmovement of the levers the roller and crescent block hold the ends ofthe blank with the hooks overlapped until the horn is expanded tointerlock the seam-hooks, as shown in Fig. at, after which the hammerdescends and closes the seam, and the levers are spread and lowered totheir initial position by the downward movement of the inner end of theoperating-lever P. The guide Q is adjustably secured to its supporting.

bracketin any suitable manner-forinstance, by bolts (1 passing throughhorizontal and vertical slots in the guide and bracket, so that it canbe adjusted both vertically and horizontally to insure the proper actionof the body-forming levers on horns of different diameters.

The inward pressure of the body-forming levers against the horn ispreferably regulated by the following means: (1 Figs. 3, 4, and 7, is alever which is fulcrunied at one end on the lower portion of the mainframe and is connected at its other end bya link q to the sliding headfor the body-forming levers. (1 represents a spring which is coiledabout a rod pivoted at its lower end to the lever g and sliding at itsupper end through a hole in a lug q, projecting from the main frame. thelug and the lever g and when the inner end of the lever g is raised bythe upward movement of the sliding head the spring is placed undertension and resists the upward movement of the head. The tension of thespring in resisting the upward movement of the head is regulated byadjusting the link q, connecting the inner end of the lever with thesliding head by means of the adjustingnuts q". By adjusting the tensionof the spring it exerts more or less pressure to resist the upwardmovement of the sliding head, and more or less inward pressure on theupper ends of the body-forming levers is thus secured, as foundnecessary.

R represents the clamp-bar for holding the The coil-spring is confinedbetween ICC central portion of the blank firmly against the bottom ofthe born to hold it from displacement-while it is being formed aroundthe horn. The clamp-bar is arranged beneath the path of the blank andslides vertically in the ways for the sliding head for theforming-levers and is provided in its upper face with a longitudinalgroove, through which the central conveyer-chain passes. 1', Figs. 3 and4, is an operating-rod arranged beneath the clamp-bar to slidelongitudinally in bearing-holes r in the main frame. The

operating-rod is provided on its top with inclined faces r which whenthe operatingbaris moved rearwardly engage wedge-blocks r on theclamp-bar and raise the latter to clampthe blank against the horn. Toadjust the movement of the clamp-bar to allow for wear and insure theproper action of the clamp-bar, the wedgeblocks r have inclined facesbearing against inclined faces on the clamp-bar and are adjustedtransversely by setscrews 0". When the clamp-bar is raised, it issupported by horizontal faces r on the operating rod on which the wedgeblocks bear, and thus the clamp-barand its operating-rod afford a firmsolid support for the horn and prevent any movement of the latter due tothe force of the impact of the seamclosing hammer against the upper sideof the horn.

The clamp-operating rod is preferably actuated by the following means: Srepresents a longitudinally-arranged horizontal shaft, hereinaftertermed the hammer shaft, journaled in suitable bearings in the upperpart of the main frame and driven from the main drive-shaft by aworm-wheel s, secured to the shaft S and meshing with a Worm s onthemain drive-shaft, or in any other suitable manner. .3 is a verticalrock-shaft jou rnaled in bearings at the rear of themain frame andprovided at its upper endwith an arm 3 the end of which enters acam-groove s in the worm-wheel s. The rock-shaft s is provided at itslower end with a rock-arm s connected to the end of the clamp-operatingrod. The cam-groove is so shaped that the clampoperating rod is movedrearwardly and held stationary with the clamp-bar supported on thehorizontal faces 1' until the seam is closed by the hammer and is thenmoved forwardly to permit the clamp to drop by gravity and is held inthis position while another blank is fed to the forming mechanism, whenthe clampoperating rod is again moved rearwardly to raise the clamp.

The operating mechanism for the horde):- pandin g rock-shaftsispreferably constructed as follows, (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3:) T representsa vertically-movable slide arranged at the front of the machine andprovided with elongated slots t, through which pass retaining-bolts t,secured to the main frame. The slideis provided with side arms 15*,which are connected by links 25 to armsi on the frontendsofthehorn-expandingshafts. Thelinks are preferably adjustable inlength and also adjustable laterallyon the arms of the slide, so thatthey can be readily adjusted to the expanding-shafts of different-sizedhorns. The hammer-shaft S is provided at its front end with a cam twhich engages a roller f on the slide to depress the latter, which iselevated by a spring 25 secured to the slide and to a suitable part ofthe main frame. The opermay be mounted and operated in any other desiredmanner. After the horn is expanded to interlock the seam -hooks and theseam pressed the horn is again contracted to free the can-body, so thatit can be easily moved rearwardly 0d of the horn. If the horn is at oncecontracted to its smallest diameter, there is a possibility of thecan-body being so loose on the horn as to permit the seam to work out ofthe groove in the top of the horn and the body to shift or turn on thehorn, thus interfering with the proper soldering of the seam. To preventthis, the operating-cam t for the slide T has a stepped operating-face'ating-slide T for the horn expanding shaft 25 whereby the slide T iselevated only part 1 Way at first to partially contract the .horn topermit the removal of the can-body and is then raised to its limit tofully contract the horn preparatory to the forming-of the next body.

U represents the hammer for pressing or closing the can-body seam. Thehammer is located above the horn in an opening in the main frame andslides vertically in suitable guideways u, provided therefor in the mainframe of the machine. (See Figs. 1, 3, and 15.) The hammer is operatedfrom thehammer-shaft S, for which purpose said shaft is provided with acam or eccentric to, which Works against a roller a journaled on theafter the adjustment has been effected. The

upper end of the stem, which is bifurcated and straddles thehammer-shaft S, is connected to the lowerend of a rod M, which extendsup through a hole in the upper part of the main frame and is provided atits upper end with a nut or collar a u is a coil-spring surrounding therodu between the main frame and the nut U The spring acts to raise thehammer, and the tension of the spring can be properly regulated byadjusting the not or collar 1L7 on the upper end of the rodu.

V, Figs. 1, 4, and 13, represents squaring devices arranged at oppositesides of the horn in position to strike the front edge of the blankadjacent to its hooked side edges to arrest the blank and insure itsproper position beneath the horn. The squaring devices are carried byslides o, mounted to slide longitu-. din'ally of the machine in bearings12 on the main frame. To enable the squaring devices to. be set to suitblanks of different lengths and widths, the squaring devices areprovided with shanks '0 which are longitudinally adjustable inclamp-blocks 12 which in turn are transversely adjustable onlaterally-projecting arms o fixed at their inner ends to the slides 11.

' t represents bearing-blocks which are adjustably secured in guides onthe rearwardlyprojecting brackets Z" on the supportingframes of theedging mechanism and are provide-d with holes in which the squaringdevices slide. The bearing-blocks steady the squaring devices,preventing any lateral or vertical movement thereof. The squaringdevices are held yieldingly forward by a spring 12 connected to one ofthe slides and of the body-forming horn.

to a suitable part of the main frame. The two squaring devices arecaused to move together by a rock-shaft o journaled transversely of themain frame in a suitable hearing and provided at its opposite ends withtoothed segments o engaging teeth on the slides 12. Any other suitablemeans for squaring the blanks may be employed.

W represents a soldering-horn or extension This horn, the front portiononly of which is shown in the drawings, is detachably connected at itsfront end to the rear end of the body-forming horn, for which purposethe latter is provided with a reduced extension w, which engages in acorresponding socket in the front end of the soldering-horn, the twoparts being held together by a cross pin or key to, passing through thefront end of the soldering-horn and the extension on the body-forminghorn. The can-bodies are con veyed rcarwardly along the soldering-horn,upon which they are soldered by suitable soldering mechanism which formsno part of the present invention and which is not herein shown ordescribed.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The sheet-metal blanks forthe bodies are placed one by one by an attendant on the support formedby the forwardly-projecting brackets c C at the front of the machine.The blank is engaged by the teeth on the intermittently-movingconveyer-chains E E E and is carried rearwardly one step, which placesthe blank in the edging mechanism with its opposite longitudinal edgesin position to be clamped on the anvils 7c 7c of the edging mechanism bythe presser-bars 70 The vertically-movable slides Z 1 carrying thehook-forming tools L L, are then moved 1 in opposite directions, one upand the other vertical movement the hook-forming tools bend the oppositeedges of the blank, one upv and the other down, as shown in Figs. 8 andthe hooked blanks along on the brackets Z,

which, together with the central conveyerchain, support the blankbetween the horn M and the body-forming levers O. The operating-rod rfor the clamp-bar R is then moved rearwardly and the clamp-bar lifted topress and firmly holdthe blank against the under side of the horn, afterwhich the body-forming levers O are moved upwardly and form the blankaround the horn in the manner described with the hooks at the oppositeedges of the blank overlapped above the seamgroove in the top of thehorn. The horn-expanding rock-shafts N are then oscillated in the mannerdescribed to expand the horn which causes the overlapped hooks tointerlock, after which the hammer U is moved downwardly by its cam onthe hammer-shaft S and presses or closes the seam. The hammer is thenretracted by its spring a the body-forming levers separated and moveddownwardly, and the hornexpanding shafts N oscillated to partiallycontract the horn, after which the central conveyer-chain E movesanother step, removing the body from the forming-horn and carrying thesame rearwardly on the soldering-horn, after which the expanding-shaftsfor the horn are moved to completely contract the horn, which is thenready for the formation of the next body. The body-blanks aresuccessively placed on the support in front of the teeth on theintermittently-moving ,conveyer-chains while the latter are at rest andthe chains successively carry the blanks through the machine, the bodiesbeing formed by successive operations of the machine in the mannerstated.

X represents a clutch which releasably connects the sprocket-wheel t0the feed-shaft G for the conveyer-chains. The clutch maybe of anydesired form, but is preferably afriction-clutch constructed as shown inFig. 12. a; is a sleeve keyed to the feed-shaft and provided at itsinner end with a disk 00. The sprocket-wheelj" has fixed thereto a disk00*, which is adapted to frictionally engage said disk 00' or a ring ofsuitable material, such as leather, between said disks. The disks arepressed together by a not 02 screwed on the feed-shaft, rings 50 ofsuitable material,such as leather, being interposed between the nut 00and the adjacent end of the sprocket-wheel j". 00 is a clamp-nut forholding the nut 00 when adjusted to increase or decrease the IICfriction between disk is.

Yis alever fulcru med on the adjacent bearing-bracket for the feed-shaftand provided with an arm y, adapted to engage in either of the notches yin the disk .70. When the machinebecomes clogged orjammed for anyreason, the increased resistance in the edging mechanism will tend tohold the conveyer-chains from movement which is permitted by theslipping of the sprocket-wheel 7' on the feed-shaft G. i The feed-chainsare thus prevented from feeding another blank into the machine, whilethe other parts of the machine continue in operation and carry the abody. past the soldering mechanism, (not shown,) thus preventing theburning of the bodies. 'The stoppage of the feed chains throws theirfeed-teeth out of their proper relation to the edging mechanism and torestore the proper relation the operator throws the lever Y to engage anotch in the disk :13, fixed to the feed-shaft and holds the latterstationary while the edging'mechanism is set in correct operativerelation to the conveyerchains. The lever Y also enables the operator tostop the conveyer-chains when this is tently-moving conveyor-chains,wheels socured to said shaft for driving said chains,the two side chainsrunning on wheels movable with said transversely-adj ustable frames andbrackets, and means for driving said feedshaft, substantially as setforth.

2. In an edging mechanism, the combination of means for holding theblank, hookforming tools,vertically-movable slides,slides movablehorizontally on said vertical slides, hook-forming tools carried by saidhorizontally-movable slides, and means for moving said hook-formingtools oppositely in a vertical and horizonal direction, substantially asset forth.

3. In an edging mechanism, the combinaj tion of means for holding theblank, vertically-movable slides arranged at opposite sides of theblank-holding means, slides movable horizontally on saidvertically-movablw slides,hook-forming tools carried by saidhorizontally-movable slides, an operating-shaft,

means connecting said shaft and said vertically-movable slides to movethe same in opposite directions, and connections between said shaft andsaid horizontally-moving slides to move the same in opposite directions,substantially as set forth.

4. In an edging mechanism, the combination of meansfor holding theblank, vertically-movable slides arranged at opposite the sprocketavheeland the sides of the blank-holding means, slides movable horizontally onsaid vertically-movable slides, hook-forming tools carried by saidhorizontallymovable slides, an operatingshaft, eccentrics on said shaftconnected to said vertically-movable slides to move the same in oppositedirections, and cams on said operating-shaft connected to saidhorizontally-movable slides to move the same in opposite directions,substantially as set forth.

5. In an edging mechanism, the combination of separatedvertically-movable slides, slides movable horizontally on saidvertically-movable slides, hook-forming tools carried by saidhorizontally movable slides, yielding presserbars, springs for normallyholding said presser-bars against said hookforming tools, and whichpermit said presserbars to yield when they engage the blank, and meansfor moving said hook-forming tools oppositely in a vertical andhorizontal direction, substantially as set forth.

i 6. In a machine for forming can-bodies, the combination of a horn,body-forming devices mounted to move freely toward the horn and adaptedto bear against the blank and press the latter against the horn,yielding means for pressing and holding the forming devices yieldinglyagainst the blank and horn and moving said forming devices around thehorn, and means for guiding said forming devices in the first portion oftheir movement toward the horn, said forming devices being guided andcontrolled by the horn in the remainder of the forming movement,substantially as set forth.

. 7. In amachine for forming can-bodies, the combination of a horn,body-forming levers pivoted to swing freely toward the horn and adaptedto bear with their free ends against the blank and horn, an actuatingdevice for said levers, yielding means connecting said actuating devicewith said levers and pressing and holding the same with their free endsyieldingly against the blank and horn and moving said ends around thehorn, and means for guiding said levers in the first portion of theirmovement toward the horn, said levers being guided and controlled by thehorn in the latter portion of their forming movement, substantially asset forth.

8. The combination or" a forming horn, forming devices which are movabletoward said horn and toward each other, means connected to said formingdevices for moving the same toward the horn and toward each other, and astationary guide acting topreventthe movement of said formingdevicestoward each other until after a preliminary movement of saidforming devices toward said horn, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a stationary forming-horn, swinging formingdevers,a sliding head carrying said levers, a toggle-joint connecting saidlevers, means for moving said toggle-joint to move said sliding headtoward the horn and swing said forming-levers t0- ward each otheragainst the horn, and a stationary guide engaging'one of said levers toprevent the same from swinging on said sliding head untiltheleverdisengages said guide, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of a stationary forming-horn, a sliding head movabletoward said horn, forming-levers pivoted on said head, means connectingsaid levers for swinging the same on said head toward the horn and formoving said head toward said horn, and yielding means for restrainingthe movement of said head toward said horn, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of a bodyforming horn, a clamp movable toward saidhorn, a longitudinally-movable clamp-operating rod provided withinclined faces for moving said clamp toward said horn, and means formoving said operating-rod, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination of a body-forming horn, a clamp movable toward saidborn to hold the blank, means for forming the blank around said horn, ahammer movable toward said horn on the side opposite to said clamp,

an operating-bar forsaid clamp provided with inclined faces for movingsaid clamp and holding-faces, and means operating said bar vided withinclined faces for moving said clamp toward said horn and havingholdingfaces for holding said clamp stationary against said horn, andmeans for actuating said operating-bar, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination of a body-forming horn comprising a central core andelastic side pieces, oscillating shafts journale'd in said horn andadapted to spring the central portion of said side pieces outwardly, andmeans for rocking said shafts, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination of a body-forming horn comprising a central core andelastic side pieces which are secured rigidly to the upper portion ofthe horn and movably engage the lower portion of. the horn,oscillatingexpanding-shafts journaled in said horn and adapted whenrocked to spring the central portions of said elastic side piecesoutwardly, and means for rocking said expand ing-shafts, substantiallyas set forth.

1G. The combination of an expansiblebodyforming horn, a conveyer forremoving the body from the horn, means for expanding said horn, saidmeans acting to partially contract said horn before the removal of thebody from the horn, and then completely contract the horn after theremoval of the body therefrom, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination of an expansible bodyforming horn, expandingdevices, a cam, means for operating the same, connections between saidcam and said expanding devices, said cam having a stepped operative facewhereby said horn is first partially contracted and then furthercontracted after an interval of time, substantially as set forth.

18. In a machine for forming can-bodies,

the combination of mechanism for operating upon the blanks, one or moreconveyers for feeding the blanks to said mechanism, and drivingmechanism for said conveyers including a clutch device, whereby saidconveyers are thrown out of action when said operating mechanism meetswith an abnormal resistance, substantially as set forth.

19. In a machine for forming can-bodies, the combination of an edgingmechanism, drive means therefor, one or more conveyers for feeding theblanks to said edging mechanism, a drive-shaft for said conveyers, anddrive connections for said shaft operated by said drive means for saidedging mechanism and including a clutch whereby said conveyers arethrown out of action when said operating mechanism meets with anabnormal resistance, substantially as set forth.

20. In a machine for forming can-bodies, the combination of mechanismfor operating upon the blanks, one or more conveyers for feeding theblanks to said operating mechanism, drive mechanism for said conveyersincluding a clutch, whereby said conveyers are thrown out of action whensaid operating mechanism meet-s with an abnormal resistance, and ahand-operated device for stopping said conveyers,subst'antially as setforth. Witness my hand this 9th day of March, 1903.

EDMUND ZEH.

Witnesses:

JNo. J. BONNER, O. M. BENTLEY.

